Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025

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Bill ID: 119/hr/2675
Last Updated: March 21, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

ID: C001118

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.

November 20, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed House

🏛️

Senate Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another exercise in futility, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this "Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025" and see what's really going on here.

First off, the title is a laughable attempt at misdirection. This bill has nothing to do with protecting our courts; it's just another thinly veiled attempt to regulate third-party litigation funding by foreign entities. But hey, who needs actual transparency when you can slap a catchy title on it?

Now, let's get to the meat of the matter – or rather, the lack thereof. The bill doesn't provide any specific funding amounts or budget allocations. It's like they're trying to hide something (oh wait, they are). We'll have to dig deeper to find out where the money is going.

After some digging, I found that this bill is actually an amendment to chapter 111 of title 28, United States Code. Ah, now we're getting somewhere. It appears that the funds will be allocated to various agencies within the Department of Justice, including the Attorney General's office and the Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General for National Security.

Notable increases or decreases? Well, it seems like a lot of bureaucratic jargon is being used to justify more funding for... wait for it... "transparency and oversight" initiatives. Yeah, because that's exactly what we need – more government agencies telling us how transparent they're being while secretly doing God-knows-what.

Riders or policy provisions attached to funding? Oh boy, where do I even start? There are so many vague definitions and loopholes in this bill that it's like a Swiss cheese factory. For instance, the term "foreign person" is defined as anyone who isn't a U.S. citizen, but then they exclude foreign states and sovereign wealth funds from that definition. What?

Fiscal impact and deficit implications? Ha! Don't make me laugh. This bill is just another example of Congress's favorite game: "Kick-the-Can-Down-the-Road-and-Hope-No-One-Notices." The actual costs will be buried in some obscure line item or hidden behind a cleverly worded amendment.

In conclusion, this bill is a masterclass in legislative obfuscation. It's like they took every buzzword from the "Politician's Guide to Sounding Smart" and mashed them all together into a big ball of bureaucratic nonsense. But hey, at least it sounds good on paper, right?

Diagnosis: Terminal case of Congressional Gasbaggery (CG) with symptoms of Obfuscationitis, Jargon- induced Confusion Disorder (JICD), and a severe lack of Transparency Deficiency Syndrome (TDS). Prognosis: Poor. Treatment: A healthy dose of skepticism and a strong stomach for the inevitable disappointment that comes with watching our elected officials in action.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Transportation & Infrastructure National Security & Intelligence Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties State & Local Government Affairs Congressional Rules & Procedures Government Operations & Accountability
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$67,000
13 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$1,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$66,000

No PAC contributions found

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
JOHNSON, CAMERON MR.
3 transactions
$9,900
2
STOLTZFUS, MICHAEL
2 transactions
$6,600
3
CLINE, JULIA S MRS.
2 transactions
$6,600
4
CARTLEDGE, GEORGE B MR. III
2 transactions
$6,600
5
GOOD, JOHN P JR
2 transactions
$6,600
6
KIRK, JOHN W MR.
2 transactions
$6,600
7
MCNICHOLS, ROBERT MR.
2 transactions
$6,600
8
ROSENBERG, DIANE MS.
1 transaction
$3,300
9
STOLTZFUS, MELISSA
1 transaction
$3,300
10
UIHLEIN, RICHARD MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
11
MCLEOD, JOHN G. MR.
1 transaction
$3,300
12
PEARMAN, JAMES E. MR. JR.
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 10 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Finstad, Brad [R-MN-1]

ID: F000475

Top Contributors

10

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
COM PRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
May 29, 2024
2
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
COM WELCH, MN
$2,500
Feb 15, 2023
3
REPUBLICAN MAINSTREET PARTNERSHIP PAC
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Jul 28, 2023
4
WATONWAN COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY
COM SAINT JAMES, MN
$800
May 30, 2024
5
ANDERSON, ROLLIS H
ANDERSON TRUCKING SERVICE CEO
Individual SAINT CLOUD, MN
$13,200
Mar 20, 2024
6
KROLL, MARK W
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual CRYSTAL BAY, MN
$13,200
Mar 31, 2023
7
SONNEK, KATHLEEN M
SELF WRITER
Individual LAKE CRYSTAL, MN
$10,000
Sep 21, 2023
8
HALKYARD, JONATHAN
MGM RESORTS CFO
Individual LAS VEGAS, NV
$9,423
Mar 26, 2024
9
KING, RUSSELL S
KING CAPITAL LLC CEO
Individual MINNEAPOLIS, MN
$6,870
Dec 24, 2023
10
MILLER, HUGH L
RTP COMPANY PRESIDENT
Individual WINONA, MN
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024

Rep. Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]

ID: W000804

Top Contributors

10

1
THE CHICKASAW NATION
PAC ADA, OK
$3,300
Jun 17, 2024
2
THE CHICKASAW NATION
PAC ADA, OK
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Organization DURANT, OK
$3,300
Dec 14, 2023
4
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Feb 8, 2024
5
KEHOE, MICHAEL PATRICK
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$13,200
Jun 2, 2023
6
GIFFORD, BILLY
ALTRIA GROUP INC. CEO
Individual MIDLOTHIAN, VA
$6,600
Sep 26, 2023
7
PAYNE, DANIEL E.
PAYNE INC CEO
Individual FREDERICKSBURG, VA
$6,600
Nov 29, 2023
8
CASEY, ARTHUR S.
CASEY AUTO GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual NEWPORT NEWS, VA
$6,600
Mar 29, 2023
9
PAYNE, DANIEL E.
PAYNE INC CEO
Individual FREDERICKSBURG, VA
$6,600
Nov 29, 2023
10
KANTNER, CHRIS
UKROP'S FOOD GROUP PRESIDENT
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$6,600
Jan 12, 2024

Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26]

ID: G000603

Top Contributors

10

1
RALLYE MOTORS
Organization ROSLYN, NY
$6,000
Jul 18, 2023
2
RALLYE MOTORS
Organization ROSLYN, NY
$6,000
Jun 5, 2023
3
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 1, 2024
4
BOERNE STAGE AIRFIELD
Organization BOERNE, TX
$2,500
Mar 12, 2024
5
HOLMES LAW
Organization DALLAS, TX
$500
Feb 14, 2024
6
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
Organization ONEIDA, NY
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
7
ONEIDA INDIAN NATION
Organization ONEIDA, NY
$3,300
Mar 29, 2023
8
THE CHICKASAW NATION
Organization ADA, OK
$3,000
Mar 15, 2024
9
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$600
Jun 22, 2023
10
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$400
Jun 22, 2023

Rep. Vindman, Eugene Simon [D-VA-7]

ID: V000138

Top Contributors

10

1
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
Organization LADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 29, 2024
2
LUX FOR VIRGINIA
Organization LADYSMITH, VA
$500
Mar 31, 2024
3
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
Apr 20, 2024
4
FORSTER-BURKE, DIANE
Individual COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, UT
$4,000
May 5, 2024
5
VON STEIN, THOMSON
Individual ROCKVILLE, MD
$3,500
Aug 7, 2024
6
HULL, MEGAN
SELF ACTIVIST
Individual WASHINGTON, DC
$3,300
Nov 2, 2024
7
KAISER, GEORGE
GBK CORPORATION EXECUTIVE
Individual TULSA, OK
$3,300
Oct 25, 2024
8
PARSONS, KATHLEEN
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual POTOMAC, MD
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
9
STAPLE, HARISE
SELF MD
Individual LOS ALTOS, CA
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
10
HOLMES, LAURA
SELF REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024

Rep. Flood, Mike [R-NE-1]

ID: F000474

Top Contributors

10

1
CHEROKEE NATION
Organization TAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Oct 31, 2024
2
DEMOCRACY ENGINE, LLC
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$1,919
Jun 24, 2024
3
SUGAR CREEK REALTY
Organization SAINT LOUIS, MO
$1,500
Oct 1, 2024
4
DEMOCRACY ENGINE, LLC
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$959
May 28, 2024
5
LAMA COMMUNITY TRUST
Organization SAN CRISTOBAL, NM
$833
Jun 26, 2024
6
RADCLIFFE GILBERTSON & BRADY
Organization LINCOLN, NE
$500
Oct 20, 2024
7
CASSLING, MICHAEL
CASSLING CEO
Individual OMAHA, NE
$13,200
Mar 13, 2023
8
BRADFORD VI, DANA
C3 BRANDS CEO
Individual OMAHA, NE
$6,600
Mar 28, 2023
9
HAWKINS JR, FRED
HAWKINS CONSTRUCTION CONSTRUCTION
Individual OMAHA, NE
$6,600
May 11, 2024
10
DUGGER, CATHERINE
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual OMAHA, NE
$6,600
Oct 21, 2024

Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]

ID: I000056

Top Contributors

10

1
MELISSA MCDONOUGH FOR CONGRESS
CCM TOMBALL, TX
$23,851
Jun 30, 2023
2
AGUA CALIENTE BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS
Organization PALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Nov 1, 2024
3
MASHANTUCKET (WESTERN) PEQUOT TRIBE
Organization MASHANTUCKET, CT
$3,300
Oct 25, 2023
4
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIVOK INDIANS
Organization SHINGLE SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Oct 25, 2023
5
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Mar 26, 2024
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$3,300
Jun 28, 2023
7
SYCUAN BAND OF THE KUMEYAAY NATION
Organization EL CAJON, CA
$3,300
Jun 29, 2023
8
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
Organization ATMORE, AL
$3,300
Jul 26, 2023
9
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Sep 28, 2023
10
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
Organization TEMECULA, CA
$3,300
Aug 2, 2024

Rep. Self, Keith [R-TX-3]

ID: S001224

Top Contributors

10

1
TUCKER HILL HOA
Organization ALLEN, TX
$300
Jun 15, 2023
2
MULLIGI, GINO
NAPOLIAC'S MANAGER
Individual WYLIE, TX
$9,000
May 23, 2023
3
FRITCHER, SAMMY
AIRBORNE ASPECT INC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Individual PLANO, TX
$6,600
Aug 19, 2024
4
LOBB, PAT
SELF CAR DEALER
Individual FRISCO, TX
$6,600
Aug 31, 2024
5
MYERS, ROBERT
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MCKINNEY, TX
$6,600
May 19, 2023
6
HUFFINES, RAY
HUFFINES AUTO DEALERSHIPS AUTO DEALER
Individual PLANO, TX
$6,600
May 26, 2023
7
MOSES, FRED
TELCOM ELECTRIC SUPPLY
Individual PLANO, TX
$6,600
Mar 9, 2023
8
LI, QINGSONG
SONGHAO HOLDINGS LLC OWNER
Individual PLANO, TX
$6,000
May 3, 2023
9
CHALIN, THOMAS
NONE RETIRED
Individual FAIRVIEW, TX
$5,800
Jan 30, 2024
10
CHALIN, THOMAS
NONE RETIRED
Individual FAIRVIEW, TX
$5,800
Aug 12, 2024

Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]

ID: B001295

Top Contributors

10

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Feb 21, 2024
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
Organization MARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Aug 14, 2024
3
MIAMI TRIBE OF OKLAHOMA
Organization MIAMI, OK
$2,000
Aug 14, 2024
4
CAMPBELL FARMS
Organization CARMI, IL
$1,500
Sep 19, 2023
5
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Jun 25, 2024
6
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
Organization OKMULGEE, OK
$500
Jun 25, 2024
7
WAITE, TOMB & EBERLY LLP
Organization TROY, OH
$500
Apr 1, 2024
8
EMMET, RICHARD
NONE RETIRED
Individual LARCHMONT, NY
$6,600
Nov 21, 2023
9
GILLIAM, RICHARD
CUMBERLAND DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
Individual CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA
$6,600
Nov 21, 2023
10
SCHWAB, CHARLES
CHARLES SCHWAB CORPORATION CHAIRMAN
Individual PALM BEACH, FL
$6,600
Dec 19, 2023

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

ID: K000399

Top Contributors

10

1
AIPAC- EARMARKS
PAC WASHINGTON, DC
$2,000
Oct 22, 2024
2
PEAKE FOR SENATE
COM LYNCHBURG, VA
$500
Jan 9, 2024
3
PEAKE FOR SENATE
COM LYNCHBURG, VA
$250
Jan 9, 2024
4
KEHOE, MICHAEL
KINSALE MGMT INC CEO
Individual RICHMOND, VA
$13,200
Jun 8, 2023
5
MITCHUM, ELZA
C & M INDUSTRIES PRESIDENT
Individual CHESAPEAKE, VA
$6,600
Oct 18, 2023
6
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual MIAMI BEACH, FL
$6,600
Oct 17, 2023
7
PERRY, J DOUGLAS
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual NORFOLK, VA
$6,600
Nov 6, 2023
8
WEEKLEY, RICHARD
SELF EMPLOYED REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
Individual HOUSTON, TX
$6,600
Nov 8, 2023
9
GILLIAM, MARVIN
RETIRED RETIRED
Individual BRISTOL, VA
$6,600
Mar 30, 2024
10
BOHANNON, DAVID
LONDON BRIDGE TRADING INC. PRESIDENT
Individual VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$6,600
May 23, 2024

Rep. Alford, Mark [R-MO-4]

ID: A000379

Top Contributors

10

1
OTOE-MISSOURIA TRIBE OF INDIANS
Organization RED ROCK, OK
$3,300
Jun 21, 2023
2
CM DUBOIS STRATEGIES LLC
Organization WEBSTER GROVES, MO
$2,000
Mar 18, 2024
3
WAYPOINT CONSULTING LLC
Organization WASHINGTON, DC
$1,100
Dec 13, 2023
4
CHERRY, DERON
UNITED BEVERAGE COMPANY PRESIDENT
Individual KANSAS CITY, MO
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
5
CHERRY, DERON
UNITED BEVERAGE COMPANY PRESIDENT
Individual KANSAS CITY, MO
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
6
REDFORD, STAN
REDFORD CONSTRUCTION OWNER
Individual RAYMORE, MO
$3,300
Jul 26, 2024
7
THOMPSON, CRAIG
GOLDEN VALLEY HEALTH CEO
Individual CLINTON, MO
$3,300
Sep 7, 2024
8
COOPER, SHANNON
Individual
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
9
GRAY, CHARLES M
REMAX BROKER
Individual CLINTON, MO
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023
10
GUTHRIE, JASON
J&S FARMS OWNER
Individual
$3,300
Dec 29, 2023

Donor Network - Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 30 nodes and 36 connections

Total contributions: $108,419

Top Donors - Rep. Cline, Ben [R-VA-6]

Showing top 13 donors by contribution amount

1 Org12 Individuals